Former PRP governorship candidate for Kano State, Salisu Tanko Yakasai, has warned that ongoing fragmentation among Nigeria’s opposition parties may inadvertently benefit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next general election. He drew parallels to the 2023 polls, where a divided opposition paved the way for Tinubu’s win.
Reacting to the merger of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso into the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Yakasai noted that the emergence of two rival opposition blocs—the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the NDC—could split the anti-government vote. He described this as a potential boon for the ruling party in 2027.
In a social media post, Yakasai characterized the split as a mixed blessing. While many Nigerians had hoped for a unified opposition, he contended that a single coalition might face legal hurdles and even be barred from contesting. Having two platforms, he argued, could make it harder for the government to suppress them without damaging Nigeria’s democratic image.
He predicted that President Tinubu would likely allow both parties to compete, leading to a fragmented opposition at the presidential level. This scenario, he said, would mirror 2023 and favor the incumbent. However, he also forecast strong performances by the ADC and NDC in legislative races, especially in northern and eastern constituencies.
Yakasai reaffirmed his allegiance to the ADC and called on both camps to lower tensions and stay open to future collaboration. He noted that political dynamics often bring former rivals back together, hinting that unity might still be possible before the 2027 elections.